The atmosphere in the Headmaster's office was thick with a mixture of confusion and a growing, collective headache. Albus Dumbledore rubbed his temples, his eyes fixed on the financial reports.
"I know something is off," Dumbledore murmured. "But without knowing the true state of the Sylveron assets, I can only guess." He looked up at the wall. "Magnus, Lucien... he is your descendant. Surely you can shed some light on this?"
Every portrait in the room turned toward Magnus Sylveron and Lucien Sylveron. The two former Headmasters shared a knowing, almost predatory smile.
"We can guess exactly what he is doing," Magnus said, his voice smooth. "And I can tell you this: the people buying those shares right now will soon realize just how much of an idiot they truly were."
"Quit stalling and tell us!" Phineas Nigellus Black barked. "The boy is selling the best stocks in the market!"
Lucien chuckled, leaning back in his frame. "Before Reinhardt claimed the Lordship, we sent our own 'shades' to investigate his past. Did you know, Albus, that he spent his first five years in St. Jude's Orphanage?"
Dumbledore's blue eyes widened behind his half-moon spectacles. "An orphanage? I was under the impression the family had hidden him away."
"No," Lucien continued. "He was alone. He left that place at age five with a small amount of gold he 'acquired' from a corrupt director who was laundering money. He took that gold, invested it in the Muggle world, and multiplied it ten times over. He even used his financial influence to have that director arrested and then secretly donated £200,000 back to the orphanage once a better person was in charge. All of this before he was six."
The room went silent. Phineas looked stunned.
"So, Phineas," Magnus added, "if a boy with that kind of mind is selling shares, it's not because he's a child. It's because he's selling off dead ends. He has likely calculated that those 'top' companies are about to stagnate or crash. He is pulling his wealth out before the bubble bursts. As for the mansions? It's embarrassing to admit, but our ancestral homes were literally falling apart. He isn't being 'extravagant'; he's clearing the weeds from the garden of his wealth to make room for something much larger."
Lucien smirked. "He's clearing the board, removing the useless pieces, and baiting his enemies into paying him for the privilege of taking his trash."
Phineas Nigellus Black let out a long whistle. "I have to say... you Sylverons have one hell of a Head of House."
"Yep," both Sylveron portraits said in unison, their chests puffing out with pride.
Dumbledore let out a soft, genuine chuckle. "I was trying to think inside the box, looking at the shares and the mansions separately. I failed to look outside the box. It is quite humbling to realize we are all being played in the palm of a six-year-old's hand."
"Sucks that he isn't your descendant, doesn't it?" Lucien teased, looking at the other portraits.
The frames of the other former Headmasters hummed with a palpable sense of jealousy. They all wanted an heir that could make the entire Wizarding World dance to a tune they didn't even know was playing.
Status Update
Hogwarts Perception: Dumbledore and the Sylveron portraits have figured out your financial trap.
Economic Status: The Dark families are currently "buying the trash" and handing Reinhardt millions of Galleons in the process.
System Upgrade: [98% Complete...]
The atmosphere in the Headmaster's office shifted from jealousy to a heavy, somber reflection. The portraits of various former Headmasters grumbled, some crossing their arms in envy. "It really isn't fair," one portrait muttered. "We know every Sylveron has achieved greatness, but this child... it's simply unfair."
Magnus Sylveron just shrugged, his expression unbothered. "Don't look at us. It's in the blood."
Lucien Sylveron leaned forward, his eyes sharp as he glanced at Phineas Nigellus Black. "At least our family never cared for that 'pure-blood mumbo jumbo' you lot obsess over. Honestly, Phineas, you highly bragged about that stupid idiot Voldemort during his time in Hogwarts."
Phineas looked down, his usual arrogance replaced by a bitter, hollow regret. "Yes... I was an idiot at that time. If it were not for that stupid Malfoy and those other Death Eater families, my descendants—Narcissa and Bellatrix—would not have faced such cruelty."
He let out a shaky breath, his painted hands trembling. "I don't even know where Bellatrix is hiding after Dumbledore let her escape from being framed by Malfoy, Nott, Carrow, Avery, and the others."
The other portraits sighed, feeling a rare wave of pity for the usually abrasive Phineas.
"If it wasn't for Walburga and her iron will," Phineas continued, his voice cracking, "we would have lost everything. We barely saved 60% of the Black wealth and assets from the Malfoys and Selwyns. But we can't take Narcissa back. That marriage contract with Lucius... he treats her lower than a house-elf. Arcturus Black wants to kill that man with his bare hands, but his hands are tied by the law."
The room fell into a mournful silence. Phineas turned his painted gaze toward the current Headmaster. "Albus... can I ask you a favor?"
"Yes, Phineas?" Dumbledore replied softly.
"Can you at least find where Bellatrix is hiding? She needs to know the family hasn't abandoned her."
"I will try, Phineas," Albus promised solemnly.
Phineas nodded, looking exhausted. Magnus Sylveron then broke the silence, his tone shifting back to the current game. "From what Eldric tells us, Malfoy has a meeting with Reinhardt next week."
Phineas snapped his head toward Magnus, his eyes wide. "Is it true, Magnus?"
"Yes, old buddy," Magnus replied with a dark glint in his eyes. "And Lucius is planning to use Narcissa and her marriage contract as leverage to clear their debts."
"Debts?" a portrait from the back asked. "How much could a Malfoy possibly owe?"
"Twenty million Galleons," Magnus stated flatly.
The office erupted in a chorus of shocked gasps. Even the portraits who had been around for centuries had never heard of such a staggering sum being used as a bargaining chip for a human life.
Status Update
Hogwarts Intel: Dumbledore and the portraits are now aware of the Malfoy-Sylveron meeting.
The Black Family: Arcturus Black is desperate, and Phineas is placing his hopes on Reinhardt's intervention.
System Upgrade: [99% Complete...]
The clock is ticking. Reinhardt is sitting in his study at Windsor Manor, the air beginning to hum as the System prepares to come back online.